DONETSK, May 10, /ITAR-TASS/. The referendum on the status of self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) scheduled for May 11, has begun early in two districts of the province as the situation has aggravated, Chairman of the DNR Election Commission Roman Lyagin told reporters on Saturday.

"In Mariupol, the referendum began May 9 following the news about possible aggravation of the political situation in the region," Lyagin said adding that "This was the cause behind the Ukrainian's army stepping up its activity on May 9."

According to the election commission official, federalization supporters prepared 53 election districts and set up more than 1,500 local election commissions.